Almost two months ago, then-longtime Fox News anchor Shep Smith shocked viewers of the Fox News Channel when announced at the end of his Friday afternoon newscast that he was stepping down from the network.

Related: Shep Smith Shows His Anti-Trump Bias

That was on October 11.

The network itself also announced the news in a statement at that time.

“The opportunities afforded this guy from small-town Mississippi have been many,” Smith said to viewers after pausing to share “a personal moment now.”

Smith also said, “Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave Fox News and begin a new chapter.”

Now, Fox News has named Bill Hemmer to a new role.

Hemmer will take over as permanent host of the 3 p.m. ET hour that, since Smith’s departure in October, had been filled by a rotating team of anchors.

“Bill is an incredible newsman and his ability to cut to the heart of the story while humanizing major events has made him a standout talent in news,” said Jay Wallace, Fox News Media president and executive editor, in a statement from the network on Monday.

Related: Fox News Shep Smith Delivers Final Newscast

Hemmer currently anchors the network’s three-hour daytime block, “America’s Newsroom,” with Sandra Smith.

He’s been a fixture at the network since 2005.

The 3 p.m. weekday hour will now be branded “Bill Hemmer Reports” beginning January 20, according to the statement.

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Said Hemmer in a statement, “As a journalist, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity. Leading our breaking news division with a signature hour has enormous value to me, personally, and to our audience. We’ve got a fantastic team here and I am excited to get to work.”

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